Computing device for generating a document by combining content data with form data

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to printing and other output of documents using data processors, and particularly to methods, apparatus, and computer programming useful for controlling output processes. In various aspects the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for minimizing the number of command inputs required from a user to complete printing or other output of multiple documents. In other aspects, the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for printing documents using content data received from users or other sources, together with previously-provided form data, according to predetermined formats.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. Continuation application of pendingapplication Ser. No. 15/472,960 filed on Mar. 29, 2017, which is a U.S.Continuation application Ser. No. of 15/444,668 filed on Feb. 28, 2017,which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/217,736 filed on Jul.22, 2016, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/610,087filed on Dec. 13, 2006 entitled “Web-Based Printing of the Combinationof Content Data with Form Data”. The disclosure of applications Ser. No.15/444,668, No. 15/217,736 and No. 11/610,087 is hereby incorporated byreference into the present application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to printing and other output of documents usingdata processors, and particularly to methods, apparatus, and computerprogramming useful for controlling output processes.

The invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming usefulfor minimizing the number of command inputs required from a user tocomplete printing or other output of multiple documents. The inventionalso provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful forprinting documents using content data received from users or othersources, together with previously-provided form data, according topredetermined formats.

For example, the invention provides systems useable for printing orother output of documents, such systems comprising one or more input orother client devices adapted for providing content data to an outputserver or servers, and one or more form data stores accessible by theoutput server(s). The form data stores include data useable by theoutput server(s) for compiling, in combination with the content data,one or more documents according to predetermined formats.

Output servers according to such embodiments of the invention areadapted to access the content data and the form data store, compile thecontent data and form data, and cause an output device to output atleast one document according to the at least one predetermined format,using the compiled data.

Output servers can comprise any hardware or software suitable for use inaccomplishing such purposes. For example, an output server can comprisea separate, e.g. remotely-located, physical computer or processor, or asuitably-configured programming structure running on a client device, orany combination(s) thereof.

Output devices can comprise any printers, facsimile transmitters,graphic display devices, or other devices or applications consistentwith the purposes described herein. For example, output devices cancomprise e-mail servers or applications, bulletin board or chat-typeapplications, and any desired multi-function devices.

The invention further provides processes for controlling such printingor other output processes. Such processes are performed by a computer orcomputers such as client devices and/or output servers, and can includereceiving from an input or other client device content data useful inpreparing one or more documents; accessing in a data store form datauseful for compiling, in combination with the received content data,data useful for outputting the at least one document according to atleast one predetermined format; compiling the content data and the formdata to provide data useful for outputting the at least one documentaccording to the at least one predetermined format; and storing thecompiled data in volatile or persistent memory. The volatile orpersistent memory can comprise any memory directly or indirectlyaccessible by the processor(s) controlling the output process, includingfor example dedicated random access or disk storage, or buffers or othermemories associated with printers or other output devices involved withthe output process.

In other embodiments the invention provides systems, methods, andcomputer programming useful for minimizing the number of command inputsrequired from a user to complete printing or other output of multipledocuments. For example, the invention provides methods for controllingoutput processes which include providing to a processor such as a clientcomputer system data useable by the processor for displaying a userinterface, the user interface comprising data identifying a plurality ofdocuments that can be output using content data received from the clientdevice and, with respect to each of the identified documents, at leastone corresponding interactive item. Such methods can further includereceiving from the client device or other processor a command signal setcomprising at least one identification signal, the identification signalidentifying at least one of a plurality of the identified documents tobe output, and at least one execution signal. Such command signal setsand identification signals can be provided, for example using well-known‘point-and-click’ methods using trackballs, mice, or other interfacecontrollers, by enabling a user to select one or more check boxes orradio buttons corresponding to desired documents, and pushing a controlbutton associated with the interface controller, selecting aninteractive execute item, or otherwise providing an execution command.Upon receipt of such an execution signal, the processor(s) can provideto one or more output device(s) data useable by the output device(s) foroutputting the one or more documents in human-readable form.

In further aspects or embodiments the invention provides computermemories communicatively linked to processors such as client computersystems and to output devices, the memories comprising computer readablemedia representing form data useable for compiling, in combination withcontent data received from the client device, data useable foroutputting one or more documents according to at least one predeterminedformat. Such form data can comprise any data useful in outputting suchdocuments, including for example type fonts and size information; pagesize, margin, and other formatting information; and standardized textand images used in preparing or identifying the documents, such asletterheads, logos, and form paragraphs in contracts, notices, and otherdocuments.

In other aspects, the invention provides computer-usable mediacomprising computer readable code embodied therein for causing computersor other automatic data processors to execute commands in conformancewith the processes disclosed herein.

Methods, apparatus, and programming according to the invention can beused to cause multiple documents to be output simultaneously, usingminimized numbers of command input signals, with significantly reduceddemands on data transfer and communications systems. Output of documentsin accordance with the invention can significantly reduce the amount ofdata processed by and/or transferred between servers, client systems,and output devices such as computers, and can save users of such devicessignificant amounts of time and trouble in obtaining output ofdocuments.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts, once theyhave been made familiar with this disclosure, and as further disclosedherein, content data comprises any information desired to be output inone or more documents that is specific to a particular document or setof documents related to a specific transaction, or otherwise designatedas serving a specific purpose in a document. Content data can includestatic data specified by a user of an interactive input process orprovided to a processor in disk, database, tape, card, or other batchform, including both text and images, or dynamic content of anycompatible form, including for example changeable text matter or audioor video data, including for example data provided in flash, .mpeg, or.wave, or other formats.

As will further be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts, oncethey have been made familiar with this disclosure, and as furtherdisclosed herein, form data can comprise any data useful in outputtingsuch documents, including for example type fonts and size information;page size, margin, punctuation, column, page numbering, and otherformatting information; and standardized text and images useful inpreparing or identifying the documents, such as letterheads, logos, andform paragraphs in contracts, notices, and other documents. Form datacan include static and/or dynamic useful in compiling a form, includingfor example text and images, or dynamic content of any compatible form,including for example changeable text matter or audio or video data,including for example data provided in flash, .mpeg, or .wave, or otherformats.

As will further be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts, oncethey have been made familiar with this disclosure, and as furtherdisclosed herein, predetermined (i.e., preselected or otherwise desired)formats can comprise any specific or general forms contemplated for usein outputting documents. For example, predetermined formats can includespecific sizes, sequences, relational juxtapositions, or formats oftext, images or other information used in presenting a document intendedto be comprehensible to a human user.

As further disclosed below, it can be advantageous in some circumstancesto provide documents in predetermined format(s) using data sets that areat least initially application-, or format-, neutral. That is, in formswhich are immediately interpretable (i.e., “native”) to an intendedoutput device, and/or easily translatable by output programs or devicesinto any desired format for further output processing. Thereafter, theformat-neutral document(s) can be translated into any desired formats,such as, for example, Word™-compatible .doc formats, Adobe .pdf format,jpeg, .gif, etc. Format-neutral output can include, for example, streamof data that are interpretable, with or without further processing byprinters or other output devices. One format that has provedparticularly useful in present embodiments is the well-known PCLopen-document format. For purposes of this disclosure,“application-neutral” and “format-neutral” are synonymous.

As will further be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts,documents, for purposes relevant to this disclosure, can include anyphysical or virtual documents, including printed or printable documents,images, etc.

Systems, methods, and programming code according to the invention aresuitable for use in outputting all types of documents, particularlywhere output of multiple documents is desired, the documents beingprepared based on a shared set of content data.

One application in which systems, methods, and programming according tothe invention may be particularly useful is where the output documentsare to be retained as evidence of acceptance, acknowledgement or otheraction by a user of the documents, as for example where the documentsare to be signed or otherwise witnessed or authenticated. Such evidencemay be provided for example, in the case of a physical document such asa set of papers, by physical written signature or, in the case ofelectronically-maintained documents, by electronic representations ofsuch signatures or by association of the output document data sets withsecurity devices such as biometric access controls. Such biometricaccess controls can include, for example, fingerprint readers/records,voice recognition data/equipment, retina scans, etc.

One industry in which systems, methods, and programming according to theinvention may be applied with particular advantage is the financialservices industry. For example, transactions pertaining to loan orcredit applications, the issuance or transfer of securities, the openingand/or management of accounts such as savings or checking accounts, theestablishment and transfer of shares in mutual funds or other real orpersonal property, the preparation, issuance, and maintenance ofinsurance policies all typically involve the preparation of multipledocuments based on sets of content data which may advantageously beshared between the documents. Such shared information can include, forexample, names and other identifiers associated with account holders,lenders, borrowers, securities issues, etc., which must appear inmultiple documents. The invention offers significant improvements in thepreparation and control of such output documents.

Many of the advantages afforded by systems, processes, and programmingaccording to the invention will be made apparent in the disclosure whichfollows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and in whichlike references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system suitable for use inimplementing the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic flow diagrams of processes for controllingprinting and other output processes according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system suitable for use inimplementing the invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams of user interfaces suitable for usein implementing processes according to the invention.

FIG. 6, consisting of FIGS. 6A, 6B (consisting of FIGS. 6B1-6B7) and 6C,is a listing of processing instructions useful in causing a processor toimplement processes in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a process for compiling output data inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a document output in accordance withthe invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of user interfaces suitable foruse in implementing processes according to the invention.

FIGS. 11A-11C and 12 are schematic diagrams of systems suitable for usein implementing the invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of process flows in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a system suitable for use inimplementing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus according tothe invention are described through reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example system architecture suitablefor use in implementing systems and output processes according to theinvention. In the example shown, system 100 can comprise one or moreeach of output server(s) or other processor(s) 102, input device(s) 104,form data store(s) 106, output device(s) 108, and display device(s) 110.

Output server(s) or other processor(s) 102 comprise, execute, operate,or are otherwise associated with programming and/or data processorsadapted for communication with one or more of input device(s) 104, formdata store(s) 106, output device(s) 108, and display device(s) 110; andfor control of output and other data processes performed thereby. A widevariety of digital processors and computer programming are suitable foruse in implementing output servers and other components of theinvention, including for example processors such as those incorporatedwithin modern stand-alone or networked computer systems, operating awide variety of suitable control or operating system software. Forexample, systems and processes according the invention may readily beimplemented using PC-, desktop, laptop, server-class, personal digitalassistant (PDA), and/or mainframe-class computer systems using Windows®,Linux, and/or other operating system software. Output servers can beimplemented by or as computer programs or program modules stored onand/or executed by multi-purpose computer systems, such as for examplesuitably-configured output control application programs running on PC orworkstation class computer systems. A wide variety of such processors,application programs, and control and/or operating software systemssuitable for use in implementing the invention are now commerciallyavailable, and others will doubtless hereafter be developed. Theselection of suitable devices and control or operating systems will nottrouble those skilled in the relevant arts, once they have been madefamiliar with this disclosure.

Input device(s) 104 can include any input devices compatible with theobjects and processes disclosed herein, including for example computerkeyboards, pointing devices such as mouses (mice) or trackballs, andtape, disk, or card readers. In general, such devices include anydevices suitable for use in providing to output server 102 and otherprocessors data and preferably also execution and other command signalsuseful in preparing forms and other documents for output processing.Such input devices can be linked directly to output server(s) 102, orindirectly, as for example through networking of client systems such asPCs or workstations communicatively linked to output server systems vialocal or wide area networks, and/or public networks such as theInternet.

Data signals provided by input device(s) 104 can comprise signalsrepresenting content useful in outputting or otherwise preparing formsor other documents, as well as command and execution signals. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the relevant arts, a wide variety offorms and other documents are used in business, government, and otherforms of commerce. For example, in completing a loan application a bankor other financial services provider can require the preparation of oneor more forms useful in executing and memorializing the loan and relatednotices and records. Such forms typically include both information whichrelates to the particular matter pertinent to the forms, and informationwhich is generalized, such as form paragraphs, instructions, etc. Suchforms are also frequently intended to be presented, upon completion,according to specified, predetermined formats.

The completion of such forms typically involves the “filling in” of, orprovision of content data for display within, certain fields, or, asthey are sometimes called with physical forms completed by hand,typewriter, etc., “blanks”. Such fields or blanks correspond, ingeneral, to desired dispositions of content data with respect to othercontent and form data in compiled and/or output documents, so that thedata can be appropriately recognized and processed.

In their physical or virtual forms, such documents can comprise fieldsor blanks in which data representing a wide variety of information isintended to be placed. For example, such forms may have spaces forsetting out an applicant's name, address, and other identifiers; termssuch as a principal amount of a loan to be established, or a limit to beapplied to a line of credit, or one or more interest rates or interestrate benchmarks; payment and default dates and rules; and the like. Datasignals representing such information are included within the meaning ofcontent data.

Thus, as will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts, insome embodiments of the invention content data corresponds to dataprovided by an individual or accessed from an existing data store whichis specific to one or more particular transactions or matters withrelation to which one or more documents is to be completed, as opposedto form data, which is used for example in establishing and controllingthe format and appearance of output documents.

Form data store(s) 106 can include any form(s) of volatile and/orpersistent memory, or combination(s) thereof, suitable for storing datauseful in completing, in combination with or without content data, oneor more forms, which data is, in general, employed pursuant to one ormore protocols, formats, templates, etc., which are of generalapplicability, and not generally specific to individual transactions ormatters. For example, a not uncommon means of completing forms atpresent is to cause a computer to display an image constructed usingsuitable form data and corresponding to a form containing blanks for theinput of content data pertinent to one or more matters, and, within suchblanks, provide interactive data input fields, by means of which a userof a computer may use one or more input devices to input correspondingcontent data. Known examples of such forms include “fillable.pdf” forms.

Output device (s) 108 can include any processors, printers, memories, orother devices, including where applicable any associated processors orother components, together with associated software or firmware,suitable for use in implementing the systems and processes disclosedherein. Such devices can include, for example, printers; facsimilemachines; e-mail servers, programs, memories, or other devices; instantmessaging servers, programs, memories, or other devices; any variety ofmulti-function output devices, and/or any other suitable devices.

Display device(s) 110 can include any devices suitable for providinginteractive user interfaces suitable for use for implementing theprocesses and systems disclosed herein. Display devices 110 can include,for example, cathode ray tube, liquid crystal diode, light emittingdiode, plasma, or other screens, together with suitable input andcontrol devices such as keyboards or keypads, mice, trackballs, and/orother pointing and selecting devices, and suitable control programming.A wide variety of such devices are now available commercially, includingfor example, a very large number of computer display screens providedtogether with mice, trackballs, etc., and Linux, Windows®, and otheroperating system software.

Thus for example system 100 can comprise a single desktop computersystem associated with an input device such as a keyboard, a displaysuch as a graphic display screen, a disk or other memory storage device,a printer or other device, and one or more pointing and selectingdevices such as mice, executing suitably-configured software. System 100can also be implemented, as disclosed herein, using networked orotherwise communicatively-linked systems of computers, such asapplication servers and client workstations, together with associatedperipheral devices such as printers, display screens, etc. and suitablyconfigured software systems.

As used herein, the term “server” can include either a physical machinecomprising one or more processors, an instance of a program orapplication running on a machine, or any combination thereof.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic flow diagrams of an example process forcontrolling printing and other output processes according to theinvention. Process 200, 200′ of FIG. 2A, 2B is suitable forimplementation using any of the architectures disclosed herein, and anyother architectures suitable for use in implementing the processesdescribed herein, including for example the architectures shown in FIGS.1 and 3. For purposes of illustration, and for such purposes only,process 200 is described with reference to the components 102, 104, 106,108, 110 of system 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture suitable for usein implementing systems and processes according to the invention. System100 as it is shown in FIG. 3 can be interpreted as an embellishment ormore comprehensive or specific depiction of the illustration of system100 shown in FIG. 1. In the form illustrated in FIG. 3, processor 102 iscomprised by either or both, using for example known distributedprocessing techniques, of client workstation 302 and/or output server122. System 300 as shown in FIG. 3 includes one or more client systems310, which include workstation(s) 302 which are communicatively linkedto corresponding displays 110, input devices 104, and output devices108. Client system(s) 310 may be communicatively linked to server system320 directly or via any suitable form of network 304, including forexample local- or wide-area networks, and/or public networks such as theInternet.

For clarity, it is shown that client workstation(s) 302 and outputserver(s) 102 comprise one or more corresponding processors 306 andlocal memories 308. Local memories 308 can include persistent and/orvolatile memories such as random access memories, processing buffers,and local hard- or portable drives such as CD or floppy disk drives.

Network 304, as will be understood by those skilled in the relevantarts, can comprise any one or more of a wide variety of firewalls andother security devices, many of which are well known, and availablecommercially, and others of which will doubtless be developed in future.

At 202 in the processing flow illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, aprocessor 102 such as a work station 302 receives from an input device104 content data suitable for use in preparing one or more documents. Aspreviously discussed, such content data can include, for example, factsor other data pertinent to a specific transaction, such as a loanapplication, product specification, transfer of real or personalproperty, government filing, or course of proposed medical treatment, orother input by a user of a stand-alone or client system such as adesktop computer, using a keyboard.

Such content data can be provided in any suitable batch form or on anintermittent or continuing basis, e.g., through an interactive processexecuted by an application running on a client workstation 302 or anapplication server. For example, such content can be provided by a userof a workstation 302 in response to prompts provided by an applicationrunning on a user workstation 302, or on a remotely-located applicationserver, incorporated or otherwise associated with, for example, a remoteoutput server 102, via an interactive user interface adapted foreliciting input of pertinent or desired data. For example, anapplication or application server can cause a graphical user interfaceto be presented to the user on the display screen 110 of a clientworkstation 302, the interface comprising one or more interactivegraphical fields adapted to provide a specific type of data, such as aname or date, associated with an input field such as box displayedaccording to a Windows®-style protocol. Using one or more pointing andcontrol devices such as a mouse or trackball with associated controlswitches, the user can select the appropriate field(s) and, using akeyboard, input desired data. Command or execution signals causing theapplication server or other processor to read the data from the inputfield can be provided by activating a control switch associated with thekeyboard or pointing device.

An example of a suitably-adapted user interface 400 is shown in FIG. 4.In the example shown in FIG. 4, a processor incorporated by or otherwiseassociated with, for example, a client system workstation 302 or remoteserver 102 executing a “Product Xsell Enquiry” application useful forgathering data useful in preparing documents relating to a salestransaction, has provided to a display 110 control and data signalsadapted for causing the display 110 to present to a user of thecorresponding system an interactive user interface screen 400. Interface400 comprises a number of descriptive text items 402 displayed inlogical association (as for example in grammatical or visual combinationor juxtaposition) with input fields 404, including for example textitems 402 “Applicant”, “S.I.N.”, “Street #”, “Date of Birth”, “AnnualGross Income”, etc. and corresponding input fields. Text items 402 andtheir corresponding input fields 404 are adapted to elicit from the userthe input at fields 404 data identified by the corresponding text items402, so that, upon input of a suitable control signal, the processor 102that caused the display of the interface 30 can read the input data andstore it in one or more of associated volatile or persistent memory(ies)308.

In the example shown, a user has used a pointer, keyboard, and/or othersuitable control devices to select appropriate input fields 404 to inputcontent data items “Chocolate Mousse”, “111 111 118”, “110”, “10/07/69”,and “100000”, respectively using, for example, Windows® “point andclick:” or other suitable operating protocols.

As will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts, anysuitable method(s) of providing content data may be used in implementingthe invention, alone or combination. For example, in addition to or inlieu of the interactive methods described above, batch input methodssuch as card- or tape reading, or accessing of previously orautomatically-compiled databases may be used.

Moreover, content data intended for use in preparing forms can becollected for a series of forms sequentially, or collectively for aplurality of forms to be prepared simultaneously. For example, a clientworkstation system 302 can be used to interactively collect a set ofcontent data required for outputting a plurality of forms. The data maybe stored locally until a desired complete data set has been collected,at which point the content data may be provided to, or made accessibleto, an output server 122 for further processing.

At 204 a determination is made as to whether all desired content inputhas been input by the user and/or received by the processor 102. Forexample, an interactive input application can execute a loop waiting forinput of further content data until such time as a user enters asuitable command signal which causes the processor 102 to stop acceptingfurther input and to move to other processing, or to pass a gathereddata set to another processor such as an output server 122 for furtherprocessing. The determination made at 204 can be interpreted asindicating that a desired content data set has been stored in volatileor persistent memory(ies) such as memories 308.

For example, by entering a command or execution signal “Y” in responseto prompt 406 in FIG. 4, a user of a processor 102 can instruct theprocessor that all or any desired portion of the content data input hasbeen completed.

When a desired content data set has been received, at 206 theprocessor(s) 102 can cause a display 110 associated with, for example, aclient workstation 302 to display a list of documents that are availableto be compiled using the gathered content data. For example, theprocessor(s) 102 can determine which of a corresponding set of documentsare available for compilation, either by association with a desiredprocess or on the basis of minimum content requirements for compilationof the documents.

For example, in a process for preparing documents related to a consumeror commercial loan transaction, an application executed by theprocessor(s) 102 can determine which of a selected set of documents isappropriate for compilation using the received content data, orotherwise available for printing. For example, a data record or data setcomprising a number of identifiers associated with documents requiredfor completion of a the loan (or an extension of credit, the issuance ofa series of securities, or the transfer of real or personal property)can be accessed by the computer, each of the identifiers being furtherassociated with data sets representing form data useful in outputtingsuch documents, particularly when compiled with the received contentdata.

An example of an interactive user interface suitable for use incontrolling such a process is shown in FIG. 5. Screen 500 of FIG. 5comprises a list 502 of documents compilable using content data receivedat 202 related to a loan transaction. Titles of corresponding documentsare shown at 504, together with corresponding selectable items 506.Selection of one or more of items 506 using suitable controls such asmice, trackballs, or other graphics-based input control devices cancause one or more of processor(s) 102 to create and/or receive, asappropriate, control signals useful for designating one or more ofdocuments 504 in list 502 for compilation and subsequent printing orother output processes. A selectable item 514 useful for designating alllisted documents for compilation, and other suitable command items, canbe presented.

A wide variety of other output control processes can be provided. Forexample, one or more selectable items 512 can be provided, to enable auser of the display 110 to send control signals to the processor(s) 102to cause the display to present one or more compiled documents in amanner such as that in which it might be printed or otherwise output,for review and possible correction, storage, and other furtherprocessing; and for example at 508 a list of available output devices,such as printers, facsimile or e-mail servers, etc., can be provided.

When the user is satisfied that all desired compilable documents havebeen selected, at 210 he/she can cause a suitably-adapted control signalto be provided to the processor(s) 102 controlling relevant portions ofthe compilation/output process; and at 212 processor(s) 102 can accessform data in one or more form data stores 106. Form data stores 106, canbe of any suitable type and can be located in any desired associationwith respect to output server 102, and can be accessed in any suitablemanner. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, form data store 106 canbe directly or communicatively linked to output server 102, and can beread by a processor 102 associated with an output server 122 and/or aclient system 302, etc., using well-understood data read functions.Alternatively, or in addition, one or more such form data stores canalso be incorporated as a part of a client system 310 or provided by athird-party system as shown at 330, and accessed accordingly.

For example, upon selection of a selectable item 510 by a user andsubsequent receipt by the processor(s) 102 of a suitably-adaptedexecution command signal, the processor(s) 102 can access a form datastore 106 to read or otherwise retrieve data useful in compiling any oneor more of the forms 504 “Financial Services Terms (513602)”, “AccountAgreement (513828)”, etc. in list 502.

With desired form and content data accessible, at 214 processor(s) 102can compile the form and content data to produce one or more compileddata sets comprising data records suitable for use in printing orotherwise outputting the compiled data in the form of one or moredocuments.

Compilation of form and content data to provide compiled document outputdata sets suitable for use in printing or otherwise outputting compileddata in the form of documents can be accomplished in any way or wayscompatible with the purposes disclosed herein. For example, content datacan comprise one or more data records including text and/or imagecontent, together with identifiers useable by output or otherapplications for identifying a type, class, or form of the content;while form data can comprise data records including any suitableinformation for specifying the arrangement and/or appearance of contentand other data and/or information on or in an outputted document.Compilation may be accomplished by any means suitable for merging orotherwise placing the content and form data into a single data set(e.g., a string of data records, one or more sets of data files, etc.)useable for causing an output device to produce a document inhuman-readable form.

An example of coded commands 600 useful for providing computer-readableprogramming instructions suitable for use in the compilation of adocument output data set in the Extensible Mark-Up (XML) language isshown in FIG. 6. Coding 600 FIG. 6 provides an example of instructionssuitable for use by a processor or processors 103 such as clientworkstation 302 and/or output server 122 in preparing a compileddocument output data set, using suitably-encoded programminginstructions implementing processes such as those shown in FIG. 2A. Inparticular, in the example shown, coding 600 provides an XML SchemaDocument (XSD) that provides rigor around the submitted data set for aparticular form.

At 601 coding 600 of FIG. 6A comprises a set of instructions is shownfor defining a reference to be used in further coding shown in FIG. 6B(consisting of FIGS. 6B1-6B7) for identifying an address for contentdata identifying a customer to be named in a document“By-Law/Resolution” to output by a system 100 in accordance with theinvention. In the example shown, the address “f513602” is defined,according to the XML protocol, and associated with a content data item“CL-CUSTOMER-NAME”. At 603 it is specified that if such data is notdefined at the time of compilation of an document output data set usefulin outputting a document “By Law Resolution”, then the compilation willfail. In such cases a suitably-worded warning can be output to a user ofthe system 100, by, for example, causing appropriate data to bedisplayed on a display 110.

Content data associated with the item “CL-CUSTOMER-NAME” can be createdby, for example, reading data from a suitably-adapted input field suchas field 402 “Applicant” shown in FIG. 4, and storing such data in oneor more of memories 308 in association with an address identifier“f513602”.

At 602 in FIG. 6B a header is provided noting for the reference ofhumans reviewing the data set that the set has been compiled in XMLversion 1.0, according to International Standards Organization standardISO-8859-1.

The instructions shown in FIG. 6 for compiling an output data set aresuitable for providing output deliverable to a suitably-configuredoutput device 108 such as a printer, facsimile machine, e-mail server,etc., with or without further processing to translate the data set intoa format preferred for use by such an output device. For example, theformat-neutral output provided by the coding of FIG. 6 may, but need notnecessarily, be translated into a format suitable for causing a printer,display, or other output device to output a document using a desiredprotocol, such as the .pdf protocol. The Portable Document Format (.pdf)is an open file format created and overseen by Adobe Systems, fordescribing documents in a device and resolution independent fixed-layoutdocument format.

As will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts,format-neutral refers to a representation of document data which has notbeen manifested in such form that it is processable only in particulardocument format, for example, according to .pdf, .jpeg, or .doc formatsbut which is, rather, native to and therefore immediately processable byone or more desired output devices.

At 604 instructions are provided for directing the processor(s) 102 toaccess form data stored in the form of style sheets containingcomputer-readable instructions encoded according to the standardized XMLprotocol, and to use such data in instructing a printer or other outputdevice 108 in outputting one or more documents, using other form andcontent data, if any, as further specified by instruction set 600.

Beginning at 606 a set of instructions is provided for directing theprocessor(s) 102 to add to the form data specified at 604 further formdata in the form of instructions specifying the page size(s) and marginsto be used in outputting physical or virtual documents. For example, inthe illustrated example, it is specified at 608 that the form data to beincluded in the compiled document output set comprises a page size of8.5.times.11 inches, with margins of 0.333 inches, and with content datamerged into the body of the document to be output in “Times Roman” font,using a 9-point type size.

At 610, a series of instructions is provided for causing content data tobe merged with both previously-compiled and further-specified form datain such a way as to cause output of a document comprising the specifiedcontent data presented according to a desired format. In the exampleshown, at 612, 614 instructions are provided for causing retrieval ofthe current content of a data item corresponding to the identifiers“513602” and “CL-CUSTOMER-NAME”, and merging of such content data withform data which, upon processing by an output device 108, will cause thecurrent content data associated with those identifiers to be printed orotherwise displayed at a specified location in a document in a font“Times New Roman” in 9-point size type.

As shown in the remainder of FIG. 6, instructions for the merging ofvarious forms of form data with the specified content data are provided.In addition to formatting data such as font sizes, types, and spacings,form data can comprise one or more of items 616 which include textualdata. Thus it may be seen that data representing content not specific toa particular transaction or publication of a document or documents canbe stored as form data. Alternatively, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant arts, such data may be provided by system 100 inthe form of content data specified by a user of a client system 310, inbatch format, or otherwise, and merged in the manner of shown at 610.

Content data records can also comprise, in lieu of or in addition tointeractively or otherwise explicitly-specified content, content dataspecified implicitly in the form of links to previously or independentlydefined content, sometimes referred to as dynamic content, which isdesignated by a user or other source by address, location, or otherclass identifier. Examples include internal or external memory addresslinks, such as a register address or uniform resource locator (URL).Such identifiers can be used to cause processor(s) 102 compilingdocument output data sets to retrieve or otherwise access data stored insuch locations and to insert such dynamic data into a desired documentin a desired location or other desired relation to other content. Forexample, an image, digital sound reproduction data, or other non-textualcontent data may be retrieved and compiled such that it appears in anoutputted document in a desired location. Moreover, such dynamic contentidentifiers can be determined at the time of compilation on the basis ofany desired parameters, including for example an identifier associatedwith an individual user or client system, a time of day or date, or anyother desired information.

For example, at 618 in FIG. 6B an instruction is provided which providesa reference “tdct.gif” to an independently-defined image data file to beincorporated in the outputted document(s) when displayed. At the time inwhich the document output data set is compiled, the processor(s) 102 aredirected to retrieve from a data store 106 .gif-format image data, andto merge it with content data specified at 620 in order to cause it tobe output in accordance with a desired format.

FIG. 6C provides an example of coding suitable for use in causing aprocessor 102 to associate content data specific to a given output jobwith a suitable address or other identifier, for use by other portionsof coding 600 such as that shown in FIG. 6A in creation of documentoutput data set. In the example shown, the content data “John Doe” isassociated with the content item type “CL-CUSTOMER-NAME”, for insertioninto the compiled document data set at the point specified at, forexample, 614 in FIG. 6B2.

Instruction set 600 can be compiled prior to a planned data contentcollection process such as process 202-204 of FIG. 2A, or, through theuse of suitably-prepared programming instructions, can be compiledautomatically by processor or processors 102 at the time of datacollection and/or desired document output.

A process enabled by instruction sets such as instruction set 600 ofFIG. 6 is shown conceptually in FIG. 7. At 710 content data 704 derivedfrom input 702 can be merged or otherwise compiled with form data 708retrieved from form data store 706. Compiled document output data 712produced at 710 can be output at 714 to produce one or more documents716. As previously noted, compiled document output data set 712 can beprovided in format-neutral form, and prior to output at 714, translatedinto a format-specific form, as for example through the insertion ofsuitable data items specified by a desired protocol.

Individual content and/or form data records can be used in outputtingdocuments in as many instances as desired, both within single documentsand multiple output documents. Individual document output data setsproduced through the processes disclosed herein can be adapted toprovide for output arbitrary numbers of output documents, based onarbitrary numbers of uses of such individual data records or data sets.For example, the content data record “CL-CUSTOMER-NAME” referred to at614 in instruction set 600 of FIG. 6, comprising data representing anapplicant's name can be used in an arbitrary number of instances in asingle document, or in multiple locations in multiple documents; andinstruction set 600 can be adapted to provide for compilation of adocument output data set adapted to cause, on being provided to anoutput device 108, an arbitrary number of documents.

When, as for example by execution of the instruction set 600 shown inFIG. 6, a document output data set has been compiled, at 216 in FIGS. 2Aand 2B the compiled document output data set can be provided to aprinter or other output device 108 for outputting.

For example, upon execution of an instruction set such as instructionset 600 shown in FIG. 6, a device-readable document output set can becompiled. By routing the compiled document output set to a printer 108,one or more documents such as document 800 shown in FIG. 8 can beproduced.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, document 800 comprises a printed recordof a content data item 802 “John Doe”. The remaining items appearing onthe printed document are printed records of form data items, includingfor example form data item 804 corresponding to the .gif-format imagefile referenced at 618 in FIG. 6B1, and text form data items 806, 808,810, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, corresponding to text items referenced at626, 628, 630, 632, 634, 636, 640, 642 respectively.

In the example shown, the text content data “John Doe” may have beenentered by a user of an input device 110 associated with a clientworkstation 302, and thereafter made available to an output server 122and merged by a processor 306 of output server 122 with form datarecords corresponding to text form data items 806, etc., in conjunctionwith formatting information adapted to cause the output of one or moredocuments containing such form and content data such as document 800 ofFIG. 8.

An example of a process for outputting documents using compiled documentoutput data sets in accordance with the invention is shown in FIGS. 9and 10. Referring for example to FIG. 5, a user of for example a clientworkstation 302 can review a list 502 of outputtable documents using adisplay 110. By selecting with a suitably-adapted control device aninteractive command item 512 corresponding to a compiled or compilabledocument output data set for a document such as “BY-LAW RESOLUTION” 800shown in FIG. 8, the user can cause the display 110 to display an image902 of a virtual copy of document 800, using a document output data setcompiled using an instruction set such as set 600 of FIG. 6. Forexample, selection of the item 512 by the user can cause the clientworkstation to produce command data signals operable to cause one ormore of processors 102, 306 to execute a command set such as instructionset 600 to compile a format-neutral output data set suitable for use inoutputting the document 800 according for example to the compilationprocess shown in FIG. 7, and to convert the format-neutral data set intoa form suitable for displaying a virtual image of the document on adisplay device 110 in accordance with .gif, .pdf, jpeg, or otherprotocols.

Moreover, the virtual image 902 of document 800 can be presented in sucha manner as to enable the user of the client workstation 302 or otherprocessor 102 to perform other functions using the correspondingcompiled document data set. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 any numberof document-processing functions associated with the Windows®, Adobe, orother known programming and operating systems can be enabled. Forexample, by selecting a “save a copy” command item 906, the user cancause the compiled document output data set to be saved in any desiredformat, neutral or otherwise. By selecting “e-mail” command item 908,the user can cause the compiled document output data set to be output toan e-mail application, for forwarding to a desired e-mail address, orother desired processing. If for example the user selects “print”command item 904, the user can cause the client system 310 and/or outputserver system 320 to execute a printing process including, for example,causing a suitably-adapted print control interface 1002 to be displayed,as shown in FIG. 10. Print control interface 1002 enables a user of thesystem(s) 310, 320 to review a virtual copy 902′ of document 800, and toperform various other print control functions, using asuitably-configure input control device. A variety of suitable printcontrol interfaces are known, and commercially available, including forexample through the Microsoft Windows® operating system.

Selection of “OK” control item 1004 in FIG. 10 can cause the system(s)310, 320 to output the compiled document output data set to a printer,resulting in printing of a document 800 as shown in FIG. 8.

It is important to note that processes and systems according to theinvention are quite adaptable, and are suitable for implementationaccording to a wide variety of configurations.

For example, it may be noted by reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 that many ofthe components of system 100 may be communicatively linked, or otherwiseassociated with each other, according to a wide variety of architecturesconsistent with and suitable for implementing the disclosure herein. Forexample, form data store 106 and output device 108 can be accessedand/or controlled by either of workstation 302 or output server 122, orboth, in a wide variety of combinations.

As a further example, methods and processes according to the inventionmay be implemented in a wide variety of forms. In particular, many ofthe individual steps or stages of such processes can be accomplished invarious orders; any order consistent with the purposes described hereinwill serve. As a particular example, an alternative form of the processfor controlling output processes shown in FIG. 2A is shown in FIG. 2B.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, content data is collected in batchform, either by reading an interactively-input data set or by reading atape, database, or otherwise accessing a previously-gathered data set,and form data related to one or more corresponding forms is accessed at212. Thereafter the form and content data are compiled to create adocument output data set at 214, upon which at 206 a list of documentsavailable using the compiled data set is provided, with selection andoutput of desired documents occurring at 208-216.

Thus, as will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts, a widevariety of variations of systems, architectures, processes, andprogramming structures are suitable for use in implementing theinvention.

Further examples of architectures for systems 100 suitable for use inimplementing the invention are shown in FIGS. 11A-11C and 12.

In the example shown in FIG. 11A, both form data store 106 and outputdevice 108 are communicatively linked directly to client device 302, asfor example behind a common firewall or other security system 1106, andcontrolled by client processor 306. Server system 320 comprises anapplication server 1102 which can provide, for example interfaceapplications suitable for use in eliciting from a user of client system310 content data input for use in compiling document output data sets inaccordance with the invention. Application server can also control, orhelp to control, any one or more of output device(s) 108 and form datastore processes 106.

In the example shown in FIG. 11B, output server 102, 1104 controlsoutput device 108 and form data store 106 remotely, as for example inorder to control printing at a remote branch of an office, or inbroadcast advertising applications.

In the example shown in FIG. 11C, output/application server 102, 1102,1104 controls output device 108 remotely, while form data stores 106 areboth controlled directly by the server 102, 1102, 1104, and remotely, asfor example where remote form data store 106 is controlled by anotherentity, or behind a separate security wall 1106.

The implementation of operating and control system processes, andcorresponding programming structures, suitable for use in implementingsystems and processes according to the invention using the variousarchitectures disclosed herein, including those shown in FIGS. 11A-11C,will not trouble those skilled in the relevant arts, once they have beenmade familiar with this disclosure.

FIG. 12 provides a further example of a system architecture 100 suitablefor use in implementing the invention. In the embodiment shown, clientsystem 310 comprises one or more client workstations 302 with associateddisplay(s) 110 and input device(s) 104, one or more printer(s) or otheroutput device(s) 108, and local form data store(s) 106, 380,communicatively linked via RLAN 340. Client system 310 is further linkedto server system 320 via corporate WAN(s) 302, 1202, and branch WAN 302,1204. Server system 320 comprises a form data maintenance system 1210comprising a form data store 106, 1212 adapted to serve as a back-upand/or authoritative version of form data used in compiling documentsaccording to the invention, and a form data store server 1214 adaptedfor creation, maintenance, and other processing of form data storedtherein. Thus for example output and/or application server 102 could belocated together in a branch office of a business such as a bank, whilecreation, maintenance, etc., of form data can be controlled at acorporate office or other secure location.

The architecture shown in FIG. 12 is particularly useful for providing,among other benefits, safe and secure back-ups of form data stores 106and reduced data transfer and processing requirements. By providingmultiple instances of form data stores 106, such architectures provide,for example, significant benefits in the form of reduced signal trafficover communications networks, and reduction in other data processing.For example, in order to optimize efficiency in data flow via corporateWAN(s) 1202 and branch WAN(s) 1204, shared templates compilable usingform data stored under the control of form data control system 1210 canbe created and maintained using server 1214, and pushed at night orduring other non-peak usage times to one or more branch form data stores380 for rapid and efficient access during work periods. This canfacilitate efficient maintenance and update of common form templates, aswell as reduced demands on communications facilities such as networkcomponents.

Another advantageous feature offered by the use of multiple form datastores as shown for example in FIG. 12 is that a processor 102 accessinga local form data store 380 can, can be configured to, upon finding thata desired template or other desired form data is not present in the datastore 380, or is out of date, access common or back-up data store 1212to access a desired or more-current version.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, communications between the variouscomponents of system 100 may be carried out using any desired orotherwise advantageous protocols, including hyper-text transfer protocol(HTTP), and compilation, output, and other processes can be implementedusing Java, XML, and any other suitable programming systems.

A schematic diagram of a process for controlling output of documentsaccording to the invention is shown in FIG. 13. The process flow shownin FIG. 13 offers, among other advantages, inventive secure datacommunications built on existing communications protocols.

At 1 in FIG. 13 an application server 102 is initialized using securetechniques such as known unique user identification codes and passwordsor dynamic secure keys (including for example RSA-type technology). Theapplication server then executes an application adapted for gatheringcontent data intended for output in documents prepared according topredetermined formats, using previously-defined form data, as describedherein and as shown and explained in connection with, for example, FIG.4.

At 2 the server 102, having collected desired content data and it beingdesired to print one or more documents using such data, as described forexample in connection with processes 200 and 200′ of FIGS. 2A and 2B,initiates a printing session with the client system 302. The server 102sends to the client system 302 signals representing a request to verifya key useful in completing communications using an encryption scheme(for example, a symmetric encryption scheme), such as those currentlyknown in the art. The verification can, for example, be in the form of aunique user identification, to be compared by the server 102 with a keymaintained by the server 102 and identified by the server 102 with thecorresponding client system 302. The request signal can also serve a“heartbeat” or other confirmatory signal confirming that the relevantclient system 302 is communicatively operable.

At 3 the queried client system provides the requested key. Server 102can determine whether the provided key corresponds to a correspondingkey maintained by the server 102. If corresponding client-held andserver-held keys are confirmed, appropriate acknowledgements may bemade. If corresponding keys are not found, then, for example the server102 can repeat the request, with appropriate warnings and notifications.

Where corresponding client- and server-keys are confirmed, at 4 theserver 102 can update a list of authorized client systems (i.e., a“whitelist”), to ensure that only the successfully-queried client canretrieve the key in future. The server 102 can further provide theclient system 302 with data such as a URL useable for retrieving contentand/or form data. Having received such data, client system 302 canestablish a secure HTTP or other suitable connection with theapplication server 102 using, for example, an appropriately-configuredservlet, together with any other data useful or desired for verifying orestablishing synchronized keys.

At 5, appropriately-keyed encrypted data signals can be exchanged by theserver 102 and client system 302. A unique user identificationcorresponding to the client system 302 can be embedded within orotherwise associated with exchanged data records. Such data signals canrepresent, for example, requests for printer lists or lists of othersuitable output devices 108 and status information relating toestablished output processes.

In cases such as those involving transfer of relatively large documentoutput data sets, at 6 the server 102 can provide to the relevant clientsystem 302 control signals indicating that the server will store thedocument output data set(s) in a memory 308 such as a cache controlledby the server 102, together with suitable address and other informationuseful in locating and retrieving the stored data set(s).

At 7 the authorized client system 302 can access the stored data set(s)and retrieve it for further output processing. At each retrieval stepthe authority of the client system 302 to access the data can beconfirmed.

The invention further provides processes useful in developing templatescomprising form data records, the templates suitable for use incompiling, in conjunction with appropriate content data, document outputdata sets in accordance with the invention. An example of such a processis shown in FIG. 14.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, templates are created and documents areprocessed using the XML protocol. At 1402 a document manager develops aform using, for example, programming tools compatible with relevant XMLprocesses. Placeholders such as those shown at 614 in FIG. 6B2 areinserted into compilation instruction sets such as set 600 of FIG. 6,and the template, including placeholders, is outputted as a codedinstruction set such as that shown in FIG. 6, which may for example bein the form of an XSL-FO object (i.e., an XML dialect for expressingdocument formatting.

In a parallel or separate process, at 1410 a developer composes aschema, or predetermined format, for a template to be used in outputtingdocuments, the template comprising any desired form data records usefulin causing a document outputted according to the invention to be printedin the desired predetermined format. Such templates may be constructed,for example, according to the XML protocol and stored as XML SchemaDefinition (XSD) records in one or more suitable form data store(s), orrepository(ies), 106.

At 1406 the schema developed at 1410, 1412 and the schema developed at1402 are merged. The placeholders provided at 1402 can be replaced withoutput from 1410, 1412. The result can be stored in one or more datastores 106 in the form of an XML Stylesheet Language Transformation(XSLT) document.

At 1416 a user of a processor 102 such as a client workstation 302provides content data using, for example, and appropriately-configuredapplication program such as that described in connection with FIG. 4.The processor 102 can execute a process such as that shown in FIG. 7 tocompile a document output data set. The document output data set can beprovided as for example an XSL:FO document.

At 1420 the document output data set compiled at 1416 can be stored informat-neutral form in one or more memory(ies) 308. If desired, a usercan specify one or more desired output formats (e.g., PCL, .pdf, .doc,gif) and at 1424 the document output data set can be suitably translatedby a translation engine into the desired format(s). At 1424 thetranslated document output data set can be provided to a desired outputdevice and printed or otherwise output.

As will by understood by those skilled in the relevant arts, PrinterControl Language (PCL) is an industry-standard page description languagewhich describes actions and commands to be executed by a printer orother output device in order to output a document in a prescribedmanner. No additional software or hardware, other than the printer orother output device, is required to translate a PCL-compliant stream ofdata into the resultant print artifact.

One advantageous aspect of the invention is its use in upgrading systemsadapted for prior-art output control processes. An example of theapplicability of the invention in upgrading one such so-called “legacy”system is shown in FIG. 15. In the embodiment shown, upgraded system1500 comprises a client system 302, one or more printing device(s) 108,legacy print application 1502, and legacy output server 1506. Legacyprint application and legacy output server 1506 are configured, forexample, to print single documents using dedicated content data sets,without merging form and content data in accordance with the invention.However, by providing a suitably-adapted interface such as that shown in5, system 1500 can present to a user of client system 302 an option forprinting of pluralities of documents using merged content and form data,as described herein. For example, the client system 302 can be adaptedto provide to a middleware application executed thereon, or, for exampleon application server 1504, 102, 122, data address information such asan Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to be used in conjunction withlegacy output communications to control output processes.

Having received appropriately-identified address information, middlewareserver 1504 can wrap or otherwise associate the legacy-format outputdata into reformatted data comprising the provided addresses. Suchwrapped or otherwise reformatted data can be returned to the clientsystem 302 for use in further processing as described herein.

At the time of printing, the output server 102 can query the clientsystem 302 to determine whether output control processes in accordancewith the invention are to be used in conjunction with legacyapplications. Upon receipt of data indicating a correspondingpreference, the output server/middleware application 102, 1504 canperform appropriate reformatting and addressing.

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the relevant arts, once they have been made familiar withthis disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be madewithout departing from the true scope of the invention in the appendedclaims. The invention is therefore not to be limited to the exactcomponents or details of methodology or construction set forth above.Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the processes themselves,no particular order to steps or stages of methods or processes describedin this disclosure, including the Figures, is intended or implied. Inmany cases the order of process steps may be varied without changing thepurpose, effect, or import of the methods described.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computing device for compiling types ofdocuments associated with events, the computing device having aprocessor coupled to a memory and a communications module, the processorconfigured to: receive content data via the communications module andreceive form data retrievable from a form data store via thecommunications module, at least a part of the content data beingobtained from a first set of document types associated with a previousevent, each of the content data and the form data comprising at leastone of static and dynamic data; determine a second set of compilabledocument types by analyzing the content data and the form data inresponse to receiving a command via the communications module indicatingthat inputting of the content data is complete, the analysis conductedprior to receiving selected document types, the second set of compilabledocument types comprising document types for which the received contentdata meets minimum content requirements, and including a document typethat is different from any of the types of documents in the first setand that is associated with an event that is different from the previousevent; send via the communications module the second set of compilabledocument types; receive via the communications module the selecteddocument types; generate a formatted document output set from theselected document types using the content data and the form datareceived from the form data store via the communications module, theformatted document output set comprising an application-neutral format;store the document output set in a memory of an output device that isaccessible to the computing device and that is capable of outputting thedocument output set in human-readable form, the stored document outputset being relayable to an electronic address; send via thecommunications module a command signal comprising a request for anacceptance of the formatted document output set; and receive via thecommunications module the acceptance of the formatted document outputset.
 2. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the acceptance comprisesa user acceptance.
 3. The computing device of claim 1 wherein theelectronic address is an email address and the output device is ane-mail server.
 4. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the acceptancecomprises a sign-off by a user.
 5. The computing device of claim 1wherein the request for the acceptance is sent when the document outputset is relayed to the electronic address.
 6. The computing device ofclaim 4 wherein the processor further determines from the receivedcontent data that additional content data associated with the contentdata is to be retrieved from a pre-existing content data store, theadditional content data and the content data store holding differentinformation than the form data and the form data store, the types ofdocuments to be compiled comprising those for which the content data andthe additional content data meet the minimum content requirements, theadditional content data further being accessed to generate the formatteddocument output set.
 7. The computing device of claim 1 wherein theevents include loan or credit applications, issuance of securities,transfer of securities, opening savings or checking accounts, managingsavings or checking accounts, purchasing or transferring shares inmutual funds or real property, purchasing or transferring personalproperty, and preparing, issuing and maintaining insurance policies. 8.A method of compiling types of documents associated with events, themethod performed by a computing device and comprising: receiving contentdata and receiving form data from a form data store, at least a part ofthe content data being obtained from a first set of document typesassociated with a previous event, each of the content data and the formdata comprising at least one of static and dynamic data; determining asecond set of compilable document types by analyzing the content dataand the form data in response to receiving a command indicating thatinputting of the content data is complete, the analysis conducted priorto receiving selected document types, the second set of compilabledocument types comprising document types for which the received contentdata meets minimum content requirements, and including a document typethat is different from any of the types of documents in the first setand that is associated with an event that is different from the previousevent; sending the second set of compilable document types; receivingthe selected document types; generating a formatted document output setfrom the selected document types using the content data and the formdata received from the form data store, the formatted document outputset comprising an application-neutral format; storing the documentoutput set in a memory of an output device that is accessible to thecomputing device and that is capable of outputting the document outputset in human-readable form, the stored document output set beingrelayable to an electronic address; sending a command signal comprisinga request for an acceptance of the formatted document output set; andreceiving the acceptance of the formatted document output set.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the acceptance comprises a user acceptance.10. The method of claim 8 wherein the electronic address is an e-mailaddress and the output device is an e-mail server.
 11. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the acceptance comprises a sign-off by a user.
 12. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the request for acceptance is sent when thedocument output set is relayed to the electronic address.
 13. The methodof claim 10 further comprising: determining, from the received contentdata, that additional content data associated with the content data isto be retrieved from a pre-existing content data store, the additionalcontent data and the content data store holding different informationthan the form data and the form data store; and accessing the additionalcontent data to generate the formatted document output set; wherein thetypes of documents to be compiled comprise those for which the contentdata and the additional content data meet the minimum contentrequirements.
 14. The method of claim 8 wherein the events include loanor credit applications, issuance of securities, transfer of securities,opening savings or checking accounts, managing savings or checkingaccounts, purchasing or transferring shares in mutual funds or realproperty, purchasing or transferring personal property, and preparing,issuing and maintaining insurance policies.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-usable medium having stored therein computer-readable code forcausing a processor of a computing device to compile types of documentsassociated with events by: receiving content data and receiving formdata from a form data store, at least a part of the content data beingobtained from a first set of document types associated with a previousevent, each of the content data and the form data comprising at leastone of static and dynamic data; determining a second set of compilabledocument types by analyzing the content data and the form data inresponse to receiving a command indicating that inputting of the contentdata is complete, the analysis conducted prior to receiving selecteddocument types, the second set of compilable document types comprisingdocument types for which the received content data meets minimum contentrequirements, and including a document type that is different from anyof the types of documents in the first set and that is associated withan event that is different from the previous event; sending the secondset of compilable document types; receiving the selected document types;generating a formatted document output set from the selected documenttypes using the content data and the form data received from the formdata store, the formatted document output set comprising anapplication-neutral format; storing the document output set in a memoryof an output device that is accessible to the computing device and thatis capable of outputting the document output set in human-readable form,the stored document output set being relayable to an electronic address;sending a command signal comprising a request for an acceptance of theformatted document output set; and receiving the acceptance of theformatted document output set.
 16. The medium of claim 15 wherein theacceptance comprises a user acceptance.
 17. The medium of claim 15wherein the electronic address is an e-mail address, and the outputdevice is an e-mail server.
 18. The medium of claim 15 wherein theacceptance comprises a sign-off by a user.
 19. The medium of claim 15wherein the request for the acceptance is sent when the document outputset is relayed to the electronic address.
 20. The medium of claim 15wherein the computer-readable code further causes the processor of thecomputing device to: determine, from the received content data, thatadditional content data associated with the content data is to beretrieved from a pre-existing content data store, the additional contentdata and the content data store holding different information than theform data and the form data store, and access the additional contentdata to generate the formatted document output set, wherein the types ofdocuments to be compiled comprise those for which the content data andthe additional content data meet the minimum content requirements.